Against the Grain – 35K

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Milk Stout • 7.0% ABV • Louisville, Kentucky USA

Following on from my fruity option, I’m moving onto something which I know Brewdog themselves are very excited about. With a tap takover coming up in Cardiff at the end of the week and a can of my next breweries beer contained within my recent beerbox delivery, I have a feeling that this one is going to be a gem.

Against the Grain are Louisville’s only brewer owned brewery. Although there were a plenty of brew pubs in the local area, they didn’t have the range. Looking to change this, they set out to produce variety by innovating and reinventing a line up of beers encompassing all of the major styles. This can be seen in the vast catalogue on their website which currently holds over 269 at the last count. Against the grain also operate a smokehouse which follows the same principles through seasonal and quality food that pairs up with their beer offerings. A Brewery and a Smokehouse, both found within an old train station which still retains its original structure and features. Sounds awesome.

Now onto the beer which is described as containing dark roasted malt, bittersweet cocoa and coffee flavor\aroma with plenty of body and made with heaps of British East Kent Goldings Hops. This is one can I’m really looking forward to tucking into.

I cracked the tall can and poured the rich black beer into my glass. The colour was a deep and dark black colour which also produced a 1cm brown head which settled pretty quickly but not entirely. Did I say it looked rich? The aroma was smooth yet lightly roasted with a hint of cocoa at the back. Although the aroma was subtle, the flavour was powerful. Plenty of sweet maltyness which mixed with a touch of coffee roast and cocoa. A gentle bitterness kicked in at the very end. 35K was a full bodied beer which was rich and smooth in texture. Like enjoying an indulgent milkshake but in beer form. Really pleased with this one. An imperial version of this exists and will be at Brewdog Cardiff on the 22nd July.

If you have had an opportunity to try a can, then tweet #biertaster and let me know what you thought of 35K.